How much planning is too much?

[johnvree]

Hello, my name is John and I am plan-aholic.

For me, planning the trip is half the fun. I do a fairly detailed itinerary for each day. Each day is broken up into blocks - morning, afternoon and evening (which is recommended by some). Within each block, I list the attractions that we hope to experience and the restaurants we will stop at. I make sure that there is enough time in each block to not only see what is listed but also to do anything else that might come up (characters, 2nd rides, breaks ect.).

A typical block might look something like this: MK

Morning (9:00-1:00):
-breakfast at Crystal Plaza (ps 9:10)
-get Jungle Cruise FP
-Magic Carpets of Aladdin
-Jungle Cruise
-get a FP for Splash Mountain
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Splash Mountain
-take WDW Railroad to exit.
-go back to resort

Now I wasn't always so flexible. Last time we went, November 2002, I went a bit overboard. I did my best to prove that each park could be completed in one day each. The first day we did AK on a 95 degree day. We did everything. Next day was MGM and again almost every attraction was seen. Keep in mind, my kids were 2 and 4. The third day was MK. By 1:00 we had done every attraction in Tomorrowland (except AE) and Fantasyland. It was at that point that my wife pulled rank (she was holding the money) and threw out my itineraries and made it quite clear that the only way that pace was going to continue was if I was doing it by myself. I was suspended from WDW for 2 years.

With good behavior, I have gotten off early. We are going in May, but I will be on a short leash.

Anyway, now that I am a changed man "I am going to be very flexible", "I am going to be very flexible", "I am going to be very flexible", "I am going to be very flexible", "I am going to be very flexible". Sorry, that's one of the conditions of my parole.

I am interested if anyone has somehow struck a happy medium in the planning area. Any suggestions (besides medication)?

 

[johnvree]

Sorry, put the post in the wrong forum.

 

[Michael72688]

just so ya know, it makes it a lot more fun if you dont plan, and just wing it

 

[tigsmom]

If I were married to you you would be going alone. :lol:

We make a list of what we want to do and then just do it. Only make PS for Hoop Dee Do, Ohana, otherwise we call when we are there. :wave:

 

[GenerationX]

There is no such thing as too much planning. In reality, to achieve the happy medium you seek may involve a significant amount of planning. I also use the three blocks per day planning technique that you do. I like the block you've mapped out - you've taken both geographic proximity and waiting for FastPasses to activate into consideration. Also, you've left enough time for every attraction unless you get delayed for some reason.

And with kids, there any number of things that will get you sidetracked. To minimize the effects of delays and to keep everyone happy, I do several things:
1. Before we go, I spend a lot of time "gathering requirements" from my family - who really wants to go on this or that attraction, eat at this or that place, meet this or that character. I also do plenty of research on my own. This allows me to categorize attractions as "Must See", "Sounds Fun", and "Avoid".
2. I keep only 2 or 3 attractions per block as "Must See" and the rest as "Sounds Fun". These latter attractions are optional, depending on what the family feels like doing at the time.
3. I'll keep a block near the end of the trip "open". I'll schedule swimming or boating for the time period, but since those are just "Sounds Fun" activities for us, I can substitute a park visit if we want to hit something we missed or redo something.
4. I plan an "easy" day or two where one or none of the 3 daily blocks involve going to a park.
5. The mid-day block never involves a visit to the parks.
6. I limit PS reservations to 1 per day on average. Also, I call to make the reservations on the earliest possible day.

I think the key to planning is to keep your family's needs and desires in mind throughout the process. WDW is too big, too crowded, and too chaotic to go in without some sort of plan.

 

[SpongeScott]

Include your wife in the planning process. You've planned too much if it's no longer fun, and for her it was not fun. I think you have to plan to an extent, but be willing to stray from the plan if you need to/want to. It's vacation; slow down and enjoy yourself and as a family.

 

[pepsistar]

John,

Do you hand everyone a printed schedule? Oh My! Too much thinking-- Gives me a headache Ha Ha
Glad you got a repreeve! :lol: ( be carefull ) Just get the maps, decide what park you are going to, circle/check what you want to do the next day and relax !! relax !! relax!! relax!!!

Your supposed to "Have fun!!" Plan "BUT" not every min. of the day!! Ah Hummmmmmm OR ------ everyone may run away and leave you by yourself-- :lookaroun

 

[niteobsrvr]

I once encountered a lady and her children who had planned everything right down to the exact times they would be at each ride and attraction.

The children looked none too happy and she appeared down-right stressed in addition to domineering.

I would imagine that no more than 15 mins into each of her scheduled days she was feaking out.

A vacation is supposed to be a time to relax but in a world where daytimers have give way to PDA with cell phones, I think there are many people who have forgotten how to just go with the flow.

 

[castmember]

I heard that the Magic Kingdom is going to test a new service where guests can get free customized touring plans at Guest Relations. I think this sounds like a great idea. Why spend time planning and worrying when Disney can do it for you!

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

First of all, to save yourself the backlash (and ease your family's misery), go ahead and plan every moment of your trip--- JUST DON'T TELL THEM!!!

Friends and family enjoy going to the parks with me because I can get us through the most attractions in a day--- yet without that hurry-up-and-rush-to-the-next-one-commando feel. That's because I've got a gameplan in my head. A SECRET gameplan.

That way, it creates an enjoyable "challenge" for me, while allowing the others to enjoy the parks (and not letting them in on my obsession!)

Rather than trying to hit attractions in a specific order (trust me-- its impossible to stick to a detailed plan) I usually chart out a general path through the parks (for example, from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland, then cutting across the hub to Adventureland). Chosing restaurants and shows/parades falls into this planning, too.

As part of my SECRET planning, I'm always aware of where the big E-tickets are. My #1 planning goal is to ALWAYS have a Fastpass in hand--- using the wait time in between to experience the other nearby attractions.

Because attractions break down, Fastpass wait times skyrocket, and travelling companions get tired and hungry--- I recognize that my simple plan WILL fall apart. By accepting that, I'm not disappointed when I miss the last one or two attractions on my "wish list".

And remember--- you're going to WDW to have a good time WITH your family. If they're miserable, then YOU are not going to have fun, either.

 

[DisneyDugger]

Thanks for the great advice here so far! As first-timers, you may have just saved our Feb/04 vaction from mutiny!!

I guess the key here is to find the planning balance between maximizing the total experiencing vs the family needs/ wishes.

BUT do go in with some sort of plan because you can waste alot of time just walking around trying to decide what to do next. We live near Canada's Wonderland theme park (Toronto) and we often only get on 2-3 rides in a day because of the indecisiveness and lolly-gagging. You don't want to be wasting your time and energy criss-crossing all over the park all day long. Try to map out a route that will get you Fast Passes and rides in between.

I have been busy learning as much as I can about the parks and their layout. I could use an "Itinerary Planning Work Sheet" if any one a link to one!!

Is there a "Park Attraction Check list" for checking-off when planning??

cheers

 

[epcotisbest]

Hi John,
I too was at one time an over planner, then the most wonderful thing happened....we decided to do the parks in a totally different way. Our new plan was to have no plans. Enjoy the parks and see and do as much as you want to. No schedules, no PS's, no fast passes, no rushing, no posing for pictures, heck, no camera (we got hundreds of pictures already)....just enjoying the magic.

That turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to my wife and I. Now, we always go during the slower seasons of mid-December and mid-May and the crowds and wait times are not a factor.

You had said in your post that you tried to prove each park could be done in one day. I'm sorry but that can't be done, no way, no how. See, if you try to do it all in one day, you will be rushing to get in the main stuff and miss all the small details and magic that really makes a day at the theme park so magical. Ever enjoyed the scenery, the architecture, looked for hidden Mickey's, found the talking trash cans, took in the shows and entertainment, marveled at the landscaping, and spent quality time with the family while rushing to do everything? If you can do that, you are more man than I am.

The best part about not rushing is that at the end of the day you are not so tired, and ready to go again early the next morning. You will have seen things you never saw before and enjoy your time with family so much more. I know this will never work for some people, but it made our Disney experience 100% better. Try abandoning all planning and rushing for one day and see if you ever go back to over planning.

Ricky

 

[DisneyDugger]

Gee, I'm not so sure about what Ricky (epcotisbest) said...

Maybe Annual Guests can get away with limited or no planning because they know the routines and have past experiences to go by.

But out of town first and second-timers definately have to plan to some degree because I would imagine that the holiday might be a once in a lifetime experience (or in our case the next visit is at least a decade down the road!).

Got to get in as much as you can while your there - without killing yourself of course from exhaustion!

And no camera?!? Wow, I couldn't imagine that... :animwink:

cheers

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by mepoor
Gee, I'm not so sure about what Ricky (epcotisbest) said...

Maybe Annual Guests can get away with limited or no planning because they know the routines and have past experiences to go by.

But out of town first and second-timers definately have to plan to some degree because I would imagine that the holiday might be a once in a lifetime experience (or in our case the next visit is at least a decade down the road!).

Got to get in as much as you can while your there - without killing yourself of course from exhaustion!

And no camera?!? Wow, I couldn't imagine that... :animwink:

cheers

I'm not saying my way is for everyone, but it works for us. Now, we have been many times and it did not take long to learn that you can overdo planning. I just took it to the extreme in the other direction and found out we enjoy it so much more. Getting in as much as you can while you are there is nowhere near as fun as truly enjoying the things you can do without all the rush. I used to do the former and thought I was wasting my money if I did not try to do everything...now I know that rushing and stressing out over details and schedules is the bigger waste of time and money. Whatever anyone's touring style, if it works for them than that is the the plan they should stick with. :sohappy:

Ricky

 

[TIGGER-FAN]

Planning is good but don't over do it. We find it more enjoyable to just go with the flow. If you are walking around and come upon a short line, jump on. Also take time out to relax and let the world go by (people watching). What ever you, just have fun being there.

 

[DisneyDugger]

Agreed!!
Here's the #1 planning tip: Plan on having a good time!!

 

[garyhoov]

When I'm at work, I plan. When I'm at Disney World about the only thing I plan is to make sure I've got pants on when I leave my room.

If you enjoy planning, that's great. Just make sure you won't get stressed if your plan goes off track. That's the problem I would have.

I hope you have a fantastic time!

 

[johnvree]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. My original post had some icons in there to show that I was adding a little humor (I'm really not that bad), but they must have got cut when I relocated the post to this forum.

 

[johnvree]

Originally posted by GenerationX
There is no such thing as too much planning. In reality, to achieve the happy medium you seek may involve a significant amount of planning. I also use the three blocks per day planning technique that you do. I like the block you've mapped out - you've taken both geographic proximity and waiting for FastPasses to activate into consideration. Also, you've left enough time for every attraction unless you get delayed for some reason.

And with kids, there any number of things that will get you sidetracked. To minimize the effects of delays and to keep everyone happy, I do several things:
1. Before we go, I spend a lot of time "gathering requirements" from my family - who really wants to go on this or that attraction, eat at this or that place, meet this or that character. I also do plenty of research on my own. This allows me to categorize attractions as "Must See", "Sounds Fun", and "Avoid".
2. I keep only 2 or 3 attractions per block as "Must See" and the rest as "Sounds Fun". These latter attractions are optional, depending on what the family feels like doing at the time.
3. I'll keep a block near the end of the trip "open". I'll schedule swimming or boating for the time period, but since those are just "Sounds Fun" activities for us, I can substitute a park visit if we want to hit something we missed or redo something.
4. I plan an "easy" day or two where one or none of the 3 daily blocks involve going to a park.
5. The mid-day block never involves a visit to the parks.
6. I limit PS reservations to 1 per day on average. Also, I call to make the reservations on the earliest possible day.

I think the key to planning is to keep your family's needs and desires in mind throughout the process. WDW is too big, too crowded, and too chaotic to go in without some sort of plan.

Thanks GenerationX. I actually ialready ncorporated a lot of your suggestions. Except for the day we are going to AK and Universal, my afternoon blocks are dedicated to resting. We are staying at the AKL for the first 3 days and then the Poly for 6 days. We chose the Poly not only because we love it but also because of the easy transportation to MK and Epcot, which allows rest breaks even during reduced hours.

I also have 3 days built in with no plan at all. If everything goes well, 2 of these days will be spent lounging at the pool. Otherwise they can be used to go back to the parks to see things we missed or to redo attractions again. The last day of my trip is reserved for my kids to choose the park and attractions that they want to revisit.

I probably average a little more than 1 PS a day, but not by much. There are some finicky eaters in my group, so knowing the menus is important.

Thanks again.

 

[johnvree]

Originally posted by niteobsrvr
I once encountered a lady and her children who had planned everything right down to the exact times they would be at each ride and attraction.

The children looked none too happy and she appeared down-right stressed in addition to domineering.

I would imagine that no more than 15 mins into each of her scheduled days she was feaking out.

A vacation is supposed to be a time to relax but in a world where daytimers have give way to PDA with cell phones, I think there are many people who have forgotten how to just go with the flow.

That was probably my family. I was probably stuffed in the garbage can behind them - along with my itineraries. :lol: